Winners showcase their art

2019-08-21 06:02

Teboho Setena

The New Breed winners’ exhibition can be viewed by the public until Friday (23/08) at the law firm Phatshoane Henney’s premises at 35 Markgraaff Street. Present at the launch are from the left the artists Xola Sello, Petra Schutte and Nkululeko Nkebe.Photo: Supplied

Comprising 19 works by the artists, the exhibition is open for viewing by the public until Friday (23/08), having opened on 7 August.

Magdel Louw, communications and marketing manager of the law firm, said the exhibition forms part of the prize offering of the annual competition presented by the law firm in association with the Oliewenhuis Art Museum.

“Now in its fourth year, it offers artists the opportunity to showcase a broader body of their work in a formal exhibition environment and adding another layer of exposure for the winners,” said Louw.

In the run-up to the exhibition each artist was closely mentored by Pauline Gutter, well-known artist, and Karen Brusch, founder of the Free State Art Collective.

Nkebe has not only produced three gigantic artworks in ballpoint pen, but has also produced three intricate bronze sculptures – each work highly conceptual in nature and in conversation with each other on issues surrounding race, gender and different cultures, and the divisions it causes.

Mogoera’s three striking digital prints on Dibond feature the imploring gaze of Thandolwethu Gulwa who in 2016 joined a protest against institutional rape at Rhodes University. Her purpose with these evocative works is to honour women who have been abused and have never had their voices heard.

In strong contrast are Schutte’s immensely intricate and detailed drawings consisting of pigment ink, pastel and pencil on Fabriano. These drawings address complex concepts of us humans’ constant movement, migration, searching and longing.

Sello’s variety of unique original works, showcasing his astounding versatility, include works created with ballpoint pen, Tipp-Ex and nails on wood on the one hand, combined with the finest etches which make up the other half of his works – all centring on the theme of “ugly beautiful”.

With these works, Xola attempts to show that what people think is their weakness is quite often actually their strength.